NORTH READING — There are some wins during a season that mean more than others.
For the Triton softball team, Friday’s 3-0 win over North Reading squarely fit into that category. Not only did the Vikings (13-1) beat the only team that had defeated them this season but they also assumed control of their destiny in the Cape Ann League’s Kinney Division.
“It was a little bit of a revenge win for us since they got us at our place the first time around,” Triton coach Al Noyes said. “North Reading is a good team and we’re a good team.”
It didn’t hurt that Noyes’ ace, Emma Penniman, was dominant in the circle.
Penniman put the shackles on a potent North Reading (10-3) lineup as she was almost perfect. Caitlin Reilly’s two infield singles were the only blemishes on Penniman brilliant outing. In all, Penniman struck out six, eclipsing the 100 mark for the year, and went to a three ball count just once.
“Emma has just been lights out this season,” Noyes said. “She’s got an ERA under one now.”
North Reading’s Keely Hannon held the Vikings to five hits but it was the second inning which did the Hornets in. With two outs and Reaghan Haley at first following a fielders choice, the wheels came off the Hornets’ wagon at an inopportune time.
After a passed ball moved Haley to second, an error on Ava Johnson’s grounder to third scored Haley for a 1-0 lead and put Johnson on second. Leadoff batter Grace Romine followed with a sharp single that scored Johnson for a 2-0 lead ahead of Reilly’s throw to the plate.
Romine took second on the play and it proved pivotal as a passed ball and a wild pitch allowed her to make it 3-0.
“Certainly we got a couple of breaks but we also put the ball in play and made them have to make a play,” Noyes said.
With Penniman throwing BB’s, that was more than enough cushion for the Vikings. North Reading’s lone threat came in the bottom of the fourth when Reilly bunted for a hit and stole second, but three straight fly outs ended the rally quickly.
From there, it was smooth sailing for Penniman and her teammates, who can win a league title by beating Newburyport and Lynnfield down the stretch.